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Augusta History - Preface

Written by Augusta Cemetery. Posted in History of Augusta Township

History of Augusta Township
by Taylor C. Woodward


A BRIEF HISTORY OF AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP AND AUGUSTA
1965 & 1966
 

  The Taylor Woodward Family

The Taylor Woodward Family

Seated are Taylor and Emma
along with their sons,
Austin and John
(Photo provided by Joseph W. Eisel)
 
In making a research on the early history of Augusta Township, we find much history and local events have not been recorded and unless recorded on paper, will be lost in time, as history when passed down from one generation to another usually, gradually becomes changed unintentionally.

This history having been compiled from various sources, from Henry Howe's History of Ohio, from a Commemorative Biographical History of Harrison and Carroll Counties, Peter Herold's history of Carroll County, Edwin Ferrell's history on Carroll County, H. H. Hardesty Atlas of Carroll County, Judge Eckley's history of Carroll County, from early county papers and from the records in Columbiana County.

I am indebted to the personnel of our County Recorder, Auditor, Treasurer and Engineer's offices for their permission and assistance in obtaining records, also to the different ones who contributed the church records, and to all who contributed any part.

Several of our Senior Citizens have passed away since this research was started, they all having added a part to this from memory. Realizing that much history has been left out, and knowing that many are better qualified and could have written a better history. Any one having anything on the early history of Augusta Township or Augusta which should be in this record, will be thankfully received and may be added later, if reported.

A sincere thanks to all,

Taylor C. Woodward

 
History of Augusta Township
by Taylor C. Woodward


AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP NO. 15 - RANGE 5
 

The land embraced within the limits of this township, together with East, Fox, Washington, and that part of Center which was taken from Washington Township, was a contribution of Columbiana County, at the formation of Carroll County by the Ohio Legislature in the winter of 1832-33.  The present civil township of Augusta does not embrace all of the original surveyed township No. 15, in Range 5, by one row of sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, and 36 on the east side which were taken off Augusta and added to East Township by the commissioners after the formation of the new county.

The present township of Augusta contains but 30 sections, while an original surveyed township contains 36 sections, or 23,040 acres.  Brown, Fox and Rose are the only townships that have not been changed from the original survey.

  1874 Map of Augusta Township

1874 Map of Augusta Township
Augusta Township had very few permanent settlers before the year 1810, although it had been traveled over for many years before, by the Indians, French, English, and the early American hunters.  Nearly all cross country travel was made by following the Indian trails, which they had made to most all parts of the country, one of these trails called the Great Trail.  Also known as the Tuscarora Trail, which crosses part of the extreme northern part of Augusta Township, and is said to have been located by the Tuscarora Indians for the French in appreciation for the help they had given them.  This was the main route between Fort Duquesne and Detroit, and was used extensively in early history.

This is probably the route Frederick Post, the Moravian Missionary and Captain Pipe traveled over in 1761, after the Delaware chief's invitation to him to visit his people at the Indian village on the Muskingum River.  After visiting the Indians and building a house on the north side of the river near the present town of Bolivar, in Tuscarawas County, which is said to be the first house built in Ohio, by white men, he then returned to Pennsylvania.

The next spring, in 1762, he, with a young missionary by the name of John Heckewelder, returned to the house he had built the year before, they having brought seeds to plant a garden with them, cleared a plot of ground and planted the first garden made in Ohio.  They came here in the hope of starting a Mission, but it ended in failure.

The early settlers of Augusta Township came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, and the surrounding counties, many of them were of Irish descent, some English, many German, a few Swiss, and many of mixed descent.  These courageous pioneers all faced with the problem of surviving in this new country, which was mostly all a wilderness.

Their first need was a shelter to protect them from the weather, which they made by building a lean-to of poles, making this do until time permitted building a log cabin.  The next problem was getting enough grain and seeds planted to make food for the next year.

The first few years of the early pioneers' life in the new country was the most difficult of all.  It is almost unbelievable what they accomplished with the tools and equipment they had, which were so crude compared to what we have today.

The corn was dropped by hand and covered with a hoe, oats and wheat broadcast by hand and harrowed in.  Oats and wheat cradled or cut with a sickle, raked and bound by hand, then grain threshed out by hand with a flail or tramped out with horses.  Many years later, the thresher run by horse power came into use.

Apples, potatoes, and vegetables would be kept in a cave or buried in the ground to keep them from freezing, in the winter.  Many apples and peaches were dried and sold or kept to use.

A few of the early settlers were jack of all trades and master of most.  They were carpenter, stone mason, brick layer, made their own shoes from leather they had tanned, brooms from broom-corn they had raised, maple syrup from the sugar tree, candles from the tallow, etc.

Wood was the only fuel of which the pioneers had plenty.  Chopping wood was a daily chore in the winter.  Wood choppings were very common in pioneer times.  When anyone would put up a new building, his neighbors would all come in and help with the raising.

Salt was an essential needed by all in curing their meat, seasoning their food, and for their livestock.  In early times salt was scarce, costing $5.00 or more a barrel to get from the east.  In 1809, the first salt well was put down near Salineville, Columbiana County.  A short time later, more wells were drilled and by the 1820's, salt could be purchased there.  Shortly after the end of the Civil War, in the late 1860's, salt was made at a well near Lisbon, Columbiana County, which had been drilled for oil.  Instead of oil, they struck gas and salt water.  changing their plans, they went to making salt, using the gas for fuel in boiling down the salt water, and made up to 30 barrels a day.  Some of the farmers of that day made an annual trip with their horses and wagons to the salt works near Lisbon and bought enough salt for the coming year.

  Village of Augusta - 1875

Village of Augusta - 1875

Our pioneer farmer had very little market for any of his surplus wheat nearer than the Ohio River.  After the Ohio Canal was completed, he might haul his wheat to Massillon, Bolivar, or other canal ports, taking two days to make the trip and receive $1.00 per bushel if the price was good.

Several of our early settlers had the ingenuity to take advantage of nature's power by damming up a creek and using water power to run machinery.  In the early history of Augusta Township, there have been at least eight mills run by water power.

No. 1, a saw mill 3/4 mile up Reed's Run from State Route 9.  No. 2, a saw mill one-half mile S.W. of Stillfork Creek, near S.R. 9.  No. 3, a grist mill one-half mile up Twp. Rd. 256, from County Rd. 43.  No. 4, an up and down saw mill, near where Twp. Rd. 251 joins Co. Rd. 43.  No. 5, a grist mill one-half mile up stream near T.R. 251.  When they quit using the building as a grist mill, they turned it into a stillhouse, and went to making whiskey.  No. 6, a grist mill at Cat-fish Pond on Stillfork Creek.  No. 7, an up and down saw mill one-fourth mile up Twp. Rd. 466 from Co. Rd. 44.  No. 8, a grist mill near the cross roads of Co. Rd. 43 and 30, this was later changed to a saw mill.

A yoke of oxen on a tread mill furnished the original power to run one of our early grist mills.  The author of this has seen a large Holstein bull running a tread mill, which furnished power to run a cream separator for one of the early Augusta Township dairymen.  Dogs have been used on small tread mills to run churns and small machines.  Much water has been pumped by wind wheels in Augusta Township.  Steam power soon crowded out water power for heavy machinery.  Then gasoline engines, in all sizes came into use and could be used to run anything from a washing machine to an ensilage cutter.

Tractors started to come into use in the early 1920's, mostly on steel and as they slowly improved and changed to rubber tires, they gradually crowded out the horses and mules on many of the farms.  All other farm machinery has kept improving as time goes by, and many new labor saving machines have been invented.

Of all the improvements and inventions, electricity has benefited the rural people the most.  Many 32 volt home light plants were in use in the early 1920's and a few with 110 volt current, but not until the R.E.A. took over, did many of them get electricity.

Geologists tell us almost all of Ohio, of which Augusta Township is a part, show signs of having been formed, grown, or deposited in and under water, which at that time, would be the Gulf of Mexico, which extended almost to the Great Lakes.  The soil having been formed by the aging of the rocks, except the low areas along creeks, which are clay, as no glacial drift crossed the Tuscarora Trail in this township to cover the rocks, an abundant supply of stone covered most of the ground when the pioneers settled here.  As many of these stones had to be removed when they plowed the ground, many would make stone fences out of them, which were quite numerous at one time.  Much of the stone of this section were of a quality that could be formed into most any shape and was used to build houses (of which Augusta Township has many), stone walls, etc. 

Around the year 1900 and before, there was a tax called a poll tax.  Each male citizen between the age of 21 and 65 years old was assessed $3.00 per year with the privilege of working this out on the road at $1.50 per day or $3.00 if he brought his team and worked with them.  Some would put their team to a road grader with one or two others and make ditches along the sides of the road.  Others would take their team and wagon and haul stone from a field to the road where others would break up the stone in bad places in the road.  Many stone fences were hauled out on the road in this manner to improve the roads.  A road supervisor, appointed by the trustees, was always on the job to O.K. it.

There was a law several years before, that made it the duty of each board of township trustees to set aside $50.00 each year to build and keep up watering troughs along the public highways, for the benefit of horses.

In the early history of Augusta Township, we find most of the population receiving their mail at Augusta, except the ones living around the border, who were closer to the surrounding towns.

  Pauline Kinsey Waiting to get the Mail

Pauline Kinsey Waiting to Get the Mail

Pauline (3rd from the right) would go to the train station
in Pattersonville to get the mail for her mother,
Emma Kinsey, who was the Postmaster.
 
The mail at Augusta was hauled from Kensington to Augusta by horses, and has been known to have been carried on horse back in extreme bad roads.  There was a tri-weekly mail route from Carrollton to Kensington for several years, during the late 1880's.  A contract for this route was let to Ellsworth Harsh on March 4, 1887, for four years.  After the building of the Cleveland, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh Railroad, the mail was hauled from Augusta Station, and continued in that manner until it was delivered by truck.

With the establishing of the Rural Free Delivery mail routes in February, 1902 and later, which delivered mail to the major portion of the rural population being one of the greatest improvements to that time, and appreciated by all.  Mail was delivered with horses or mules to a cart, buggy, or mail wagon, until automobiles came into use several years later, and the roads had been much improved.

About this time, the telephone came into use in Augusta Township, first with an experimental line or two, then they hooked up with the Bergholz Company.  The Eastern Ohio Company built a main line from East Rochester to Augusta first, then branched out from this line, charging each subscriber $1.00 per month.  The Farmer's Line was also organized about the same time, with headquarters at Pattersonville, with each party building and maintaining his own line.

About the year 1906, autos started coming into the township and Augusta Township citizens have had their share of pleasure and grief with their Tin Lizzies, Puddle Jumpers, Willies-Knight, White-Steamers, Metz, etc.

One of Augusta Township's young men of that day, by the name of Johnson Crawford, rode the first motor cycle into the city of Toledo, Ohio.  It was a French monstrosity, made in Paris.  The cops arrested him and took him to headquarters.  When they went to fine him, they could not find anything in the books to fine him for, then they requested him to take them for a ride and show them what it would do.

Dairy products always were one of the major products of Augusta Township, during the early  years.  Several of the families in the township were of Swiss descent, the majority of them being good dairymen, and some of them the finest cheese makers.  A cheese factory was built in Muddyfork Valley, by A. & L. Cunningham, where a high grade of Swiss cheese was made in the years 1884-85 and 86, then it discontinued operation.

In 1887, Alex Cunningham built a cheese factory east of Augusta, one mile or more on County Road 18, at one of the best springs in the locality, where John Tritten and others made a fine grade of Swiss cheese for several years.  About this period, another cheese factory was in operation a short distance east of this at Kennedy's Mill, and operated by Gotleib Zumbrunnen, another good cheese maker.

  Main Street - Augusta, Ohio - Early 1900's

Main Street - Augusta, Ohio
Early 1900's
(Photo provided by Joseph W. Eisel)
 
An unusually large amount of milk was produced around the years 1916-1918, as mechanical milkers had started to come into use and some were using them.  A major part of this milk was sold to the condensory plant at Minerva, and hauled with horses and wagons, having to use 3 or 4 horses to a wagon at times in the winter, as the roads would get almost impassible.

Finally, a few of the milk haulers bought trucks, which they could use in the summer.  Most of these had solid tires and were chain driven.  As autos and trucks increased in number, so did the talk for better roads.  They kept improving a strip here and there, but it was not until about 1928, when Route 9 was put through, then they followed up by improving the secondary roads.

Augusta Township is not only noted for its dairy products, but, it has had and has at the present time, some of the best breeders of beef cattle.  Its Black Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn are known far and near, and our 4-H youths have taken their share of the blue ribbons, not only on livestock, but on all other lines.

Before trucks came into use, quite often cattle would be driven to market.  Scales were located at Augusta, where they might be weighed.  One well known stock buyer, A. Bryan, made many trips to Wellsville, hiring two boys to help drive the cattle.  They would be met at Highlandtown by others, who would take over from there on.

Much wool was produced in this township, at one time.  Cattle have now replaced many of the sheep.  Much of the wool was sold at Augusta.  The author of this has seen many wagon loads of fleeces of wool pitched, one fleece at a time, by a man in the wagon, to a man in the door of the second floor of the Crawford Brothers store, at that time, where it was weighed and sold.

Much fruit and berries have been grown in Augusta Township in the past.  Old record show that four berry growers of near Augusta, shipped 600 bushels of strawberries, the year 1893.  A basket factory was in operation at this time, in Augusta.  Berries, at that time were hauled to Kensington and shipped on the train.  The younger generation is still keeping up the tradition.  At least two nurseries have been located in this vicinity in the past, the Henry Shaw Nursery, and the Nathaniel Marshall Nursery.

In 1949, a Volunteer Fire Department was organized in Augusta Township, and a fire truck purchased with donations and otherwise, the township trustees furnishing a place to keep it.

As many of the older generation had moved away, and some had passed away, and new faces had taken their places, and the ones left were not showing as much interest in the Homecomings as in the past, the Volunteer Fire Department took over, and with the cooperation of all, and the untiring efforts of the younger generation, have had an annual strawberry festival ever since, to help support the department, which has done a wonderful job, in taking care of all fires, and all members should be complimented for their services so willingly contributed.

 
History of Augusta Township
by Taylor C. Woodward


HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF AUGUSTA
(As given at the time of the Centennial Celebration June 14, 1942)

The first Christian Church in the community was an old structure known as the Baker Church, located at Glade Run Corners.  Later, the Disciples in the vicinity of Augusta held their meetings in a Manfull barn.

In 1842, the old Stone Church was built.  The floor was built on an incline which faced the pulpit and the entrance on the west. 

  Augusta Christian Church

Augusta Christian Church,
Reflecting "Son" light at dawn, as seen from the orchard
Photo posted by Brent Baker on the
You Know You're From Augusta Ohio When... Facebook Page
The land grant was recorded in 1845, a gift of George and Mary Manfull.  William Manfull, George Manfull, William Elvin and Washington Iddings were trustees of the first church of the Disciples of Christ in Augusta.  No formal records were kept of the proceedings of the church until Dec. 9, 1887, but we do know from various family histories, of some of the happenings.

The ministers of this period were circuit riders.  One of the earliest was Eli Riggle, followed by Rev. Beaumont, Strawn, Sloan, Maxwell, Sprague, Hart, Moore and Dray.  The baptistry was built in a run on the Sheckler farm, now known as the Frantum farm.  The minister and those that were to be baptized dressed in the Sheckler home.  The bell for the old stone church was donated by this family, and is still in use today.

In 1881, the church was rebuilt, using the stone from the old church in building the foundation for the new one, but this time, facing the south.  In 1887, the Church was incorporated under the formal title "Christian Church of Augusta."  The men who signed the corporation papers were Jonathan Milbourn, Roland Pennock, John L. Dowling, Samuel Milbourn, and Sutton Cunningham.

In 1929-30, the church was remodeled and redecorated.  The archway lights were donated by Mrs. Sidney Rowley.  Since that time, new windows have been added, and the interior of the church was repainted.  Mrs. James Amerman of Canton made a gift of new carpeting and a Bible.  the church has been an influence for good, not only in this community, but in neighboring communities.

At the time of the Centennial Celebration in 1942, the following were:

  Augusta Christian Church

Augusta Christian Church
ELDERS:  Embert Leatherberry, Orvie McMillen, K. O. Manfull, Royal Manfull, Pearl Miller, William Lutz, O. N. Long (deceased.)

DEACONS:  A. D. Thompson, Gilbert W. Harsh, Jay Owen, Floyd Walters, Jr., Everett Leatherberry, Ralph Sheckler.

DEACONESSES:  Rhoda Leatherberry, Myrna Leatherberry, Laura Manfull.

TRUSTEES:  Wilbur Roudebush (Chairman), A. D. Thompson, Jay Owen, Ralph Sheckler, Charles Leatherberry.

TREAS.:  Jay Owen.  Royal Manfull, Chairman of Officers.

PRES. - LADIES AID SOCIETY:  Laura Manfull.

PRES. - CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR:  Erla Leatherberry.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT:  Gilbert W. Harsh.

CLERK:  Pearl Cameron.

PASTOR:  Lawrence Ray.


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Augusta History - Stillfork Valley

Written by Augusta Cemetery. Posted in History of Augusta Township

History of Augusta Township
by Taylor C. Woodward


STILLFORK VALLEY

Stillfork Creek, a branch of Big Sandy, derives its name from the fact it does not have as much fall, not as swift a current, a quieter running stream than most, thus the name Stillfork.  The low areas in the valley having a heavy clay soil like most other low areas in this township, which adapt to grasses for pasture best.  Stillfork Valley is noted for its many artesian wells up and down the valley.

We find the lowest point in Augusta Township in this valley being near the junction of Stillfork and Muddyfork creeks, the elevation being approximately 1039 feet.  At Stillfork bridge, on C.R. No. 10, the elevation is 1049 feet, this being near where Stillfork Creek enters the township.  This making a fall of 10 feet in crossing the township.  The elevation near where Muddyfork Creek enters the township being approximately 1067 feet making a fall of 28 feet in crossing the township.

The highest point in Augusta Township being Chestnut Knob, which is 1306 feet, located in the N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 19.  The second high point 1294 feet in the N.E. part of the N.E. 1/4 of Sec. 10.  Augusta and Quaker Cemetery about the same at 1250 feet.  Crawford Cemetery in Sec. 26, 1280 feet.  Mt. Zion Church 1121 feet at crossroads.  Pattersonville bridge 1045 feet.

At the time of the building of the Sandy and Beaver Canal, it was contemplated deepening Stillfork Channel so boats might come up as far as Pattersonville, to connect with the Sandy and Beaver Canal, but was never started.

  Lake Erie, Alliance and Wheeling Railroad Station, Valley Street, Minerva, Ohio

Lake Erie, Alliance and Wheeling Railroad Station
Valley Street, Minerva, Ohio
Photo posted by Richard Dinger on the
You Know You're From Augusta Ohio When... Facebook Page
The building of the railroad through Augusta Township was a great benefit to the township, and especially to the residents of Stillfork valley, by supplying a means of transportation which was far ahead of what they had at this early period; by making employment for many of the local citizens, and quite a few making it a lifetime occupation, and by helping the county and township financially, with the large amount of tax which they pay.

The right of way was obtained by the Cleveland, Youngstown and Pittsburgh Co. for the new railroad in late 1882, and early 1883 was built and operated for a period of time by this company.  In 1884, the appraised valuation on the new railroad was $4000 per mile and the rolling stock $1000 per mile, which would make the county around $800 tax for the year.

On July 31, 1886, the railroad was sold to a committee of creditors for $100,000 and on Jan. 28, 1887, a new board of directors was appointed and the name of the company changed to Lake Erie, Alliance and Southern, and was operated under this name for a period of time.  In 1902, the year the new depot was built, the road was operating under the name Lake Erie, Alliance and Wheeling.  A short time later it was changed to the Lake Shore, Michigan and Southern, and finally to New York Central.  In the early years of the railroad, the north end of the line beyond Alliance was a narrow gauge.

The first stop coming up Stillfork valley on the railroad after leaving Minerva, was at Cat Fish Pond, where a station, also a warehouse were located at one time.

  Augusta Railroad Station at Pattersonville, Ohio

Augusta Railroad Station at Pattersonville, Ohio
Photo posted by Richard Dinger on the
You Know You're From Augusta Ohio When... Facebook Page
The next stop being Pattersonville, which was platted Nov. 15, 1907 by George S. Patterson, it being called Augusta Station by the railroad Co.  The station being a small building, which was replaced in 1902 by a new and larger passenger and freight depot, on the opposite side of the public road.

Much freight passed through this station during the period before trucks and automobiles came into use.  The following have been station agents at this station in the past:  Conley Patterson, Charles Mills, George Eckles, Ralph Westfall, Mr. Bedell, John Dow, John McLain, Ben Lloyd, Dave Hess, Roy Roudebush, Homer Dennis, Howard Witherspoon, Lucille Weir and Scott Crawford; also Perry Mills, James Ashbrook, and Ellsworth Harsh.

A siding was put in from which cars were loaded and unloaded:  fertilizer, lime, feed, ashes and many car loads of coal were shipped in, and many cars of hay and straw were shipped out.  Stock yards were built along the siding, scales installed, and many cars of livestock were shipped out.

A warehouse was built along the siding by Conley Patterson and Edgar Crawford.  After a period of time, Crawford sold his share to Patterson, who later sold to Mills brothers, Perry and Charles, they selling to John Rutledge, who later sold to F. R. Patterson and W. G. Hyatt, Patterson later selling out to Hyatt.  A few years later Hyatt sold to Earl Yoder.  After a period of time, Yoder sold out to L. D. Wilson, who continued to operate it until June 1959, when the warehouse and feed mill burned down.

  George and Josephine Leatherberry Family

George and Josephine Leatherberry Family
Front: Elmer Nathaniel and Joseph Roy
Middle: Myrna Anise, George and Josephine
Back: Frank Evertt, John Embert and Nora Elmira
(From the files of Dean J. Leatherberry)

A creamery was in operation for a number of years in Pattersonville, having been built by John Rutledge and M. O. Leyda.  Rutledge later selling out to Leyda, who owned it for a period of time, then selling out to W. A. Leatherberry and son, who operated it for a short time, then selling to George Leatherberry:  Jacob Leatherberry and Pearl Miller being operators for different owners.  George Leatherberry later selling out to the Andalusia Dairy Co., Homer Arnold operating the creamery until it was discontinued.

A post office was established in Pattersonville after the railroad was built.  Mrs. Annie Cassidy being the first postmistress, Dec. 17, 1890.  Harry McLain, the next postmaster, also having a general store, March 15, 1905.  Roy Best, postmaster and general store, Feb. 26, 1909.  Harry Henry, next postmaster and general store, Oct. 3, 1928.  The post office was discontinued Oct. 31, 1957 and the mail is now delivered by the rural carrier on Route One, Minerva.

About the year 1903, the Farmers Telephone Company was organized by a group of local citizens, for the purpose of getting telephone service to as many of the local citizens as possible.  Starting at Pattersonville as the central point where an exchange and switchboard was located, and has been operated by many different people.  Starting the company by building two or three lines from Pattersonville a short distance to which many more were added later, and the ones extended farther they had built, and making connections with other companies' lines, until at the present time, the lines cover a part of four townships.  The telephone company was sold to L. D. Wilson, who took possession Aug. 1937 , and has been operated and maintained by the Wilson family from then to the present time.  Mr. Wilson changed the lines to the dial system May 20, 1962.  The name having been changed to the Pattersonville Telephone Company when the company changed owners.

The following have had blacksmith shops in Pattersonville in the past: Jos. Wickline, Robert Campbell, Grover Davis and John Davis, also Vince Thomas.

Watheys Crossing being the next stop up the valley, a small station was built and they called it Watheys.  A siding was put in where cars were loaded and unloaded.  Feed, fertilizer, lime and coal were shipped in and hay, straw, coal and charcoal were shipped out.  Stock pens were built, scales installed and livestock was shipped to market.

Up the railroad a short distance, brick kilns were built, the bricks being made nearby.  They made wood charcoal by burning wood in these kilns or ovens with but little access of air, using our native trees, the willow being used in making the finer grades of charcoal, which was used in the manufacture of gunpowder.  In 1902, the old station was replaced by a new passenger and freight depot, by the L.E.A. & W. Railroad.

Up the railroad a mile more or less, a small building was erected near the railroad at Hewitts Crossing, by William F. Specht, where he had a post office, established Dec. 8, 1890 and a general store, from which Specht derives its name.

In 1893, a creamery and cheese factory called Gold Spring Creamery was built at Specht by a stock company of local citizens.  The officers being:  Pres. Wesley Snively, Sec. Will F. Specht, Treas. J. C. Patterson, who together with Jason Kennedy and Eli Crawford, formed and constituted the board of directors.  The creamery and cheese factory was in operation for an unknown period of time, when Will F. Specht bought them out, after which he and Henry Herrington operated the plant for another period of time.  Then they discontinued operating the plant, and Mr. Specht made the building into a residence, a general store and post office, which the Spechts continued to operate for many years.  Prior to the building of the creamery and the cheese factory, there had been a small creamery in operation for a short period one-fourth mile up the road.

A stave mill, which was built near Specht at an early date after the railroad had been built, did a large business making barrel staves out of the native trees and loading them on cars on the siding that had been put in near Specht, by the railroad company, then shipping them to the distilleries, where they were sold.

The swamps and thickets along Stillfork Creek, in the vicinity of Specht and Watheys, have recently been found to contain shrubs, flowers and plants not common to this vicinity, also a kind of cricket foreign to this section.  It has been contemplated making a preserve in this locality.

Later research revealed that M. O. Leyda bought the Gold Spring Creamery Sept. 1897, and must have moved the machinery and equipment to Pattersonville and used it when he and John Rutledge built the creamery there.

 

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